A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 96

Chapter 96
When Wen Yu emerged from the woods, Yan Zhu was getting anxious. Why was it taking so long?

What was she going to say when she came out?!

Just as she was thinking, Wen Yu came out with her hands behind her back.

In the pavilion were some young ladies from guest families. Early in the morning, everyone had set out.

Some went to the mountain, some to the lakeside, some wandered around the town or near the main courtyard of the Qi family, all hoping to have a “chance encounter” with the Fifth Young Master Qi.

As a result, these few climbed up sweating profusely, and instead of seeing a handsome man, they saw a beautiful woman here, and then another one emerged from the woods…

“Oh, isn’t this Miss Wen? What were you doing in the woods?” The words sounded unpleasant as soon as they were spoken.

Wen Yu didn’t answer, but took out the flowers from behind her back and handed them to Yan Zhu.

Yan Zhu smiled and said, “Ah! They’re so beautiful! Are they fragrant?”

They leaned in, the two girls’ noses pressed against the flowers, their complexions even more delicate than the flowers.

The other girls present felt ashamed of their own appearance.

✿✿✿

With the major event in his life settled, Qi Wu had no intention of hunting anymore.

He felt a sense of relief now that he didn’t have to think about it anymore.

However, even though he didn’t want to think about it, it didn’t stop others from doing so. Along the way, he didn’t know how many girls greeted him. Among them was Wen Wan…

He kept his eyes straight ahead and didn’t utter a word.

As he approached the main gate, a voice excitedly called out, “Fifth Young Master Qi!”

Qi Wu’s face remained expressionless as he continued walking straight ahead. “Young Master…” The person saw that he didn’t answer or stop, and actually followed behind him, but with her small, hurried steps, how could she catch up?

He strode into the courtyard gate.

That girl was left heartbroken where she stood…

In a corner nearby, a short and stout girl saw all this and pointed her finger while quietly scraping her face. Third Miss has no shame!

This was Xiao Ji scolding Wen Jiao.

✿✿✿

Wen Jiao was heartbroken and went back to find her mother.

Wu Shi had just finished shopping in town and had bought a few jars of wine. Seeing her enter, she said with a smile, “Jiao’er, you’re back! Look, your father likes this wine, so I brought him a few jars.”

“Mother…” Wen Jiao sat down dejectedly.

“Jiao’er, what’s wrong?”

Seeing her daughter’s expression, it seemed she had something to say to her, so she signaled with her eyes, and the maids left.

Wen Jiao had a straightforward personality and didn’t beat around the bush. “Mother, if I want to marry Fifth Young Master Qi, what can I do to make it happen?”

Wu Shi was taken aback and put down the small wine jar in her hand. She sat up straight, thought for a moment, and shook her head. “Jiao’er, Fifth Young Master Qi, of course I understand your thoughts. All the girls present at that time would have had such thoughts.”

“Mother!” Wen Jiao didn’t want to hear it.

“But the difference in family status between the Qi and Wen families is too great.”

“But mother, apart from the Wu Prince’s Residence, any other family marrying into the Qi family is considered climbing the social ladder. Since Madam Qi wants to find a wife for Fifth Young Master Qi from his hometown, it means she accepts the difference in family status. In that case, why wouldn’t I have a chance?!”

“The difference is still too great. Speaking of which, even Wen Yu…” Wu Shi just blurted it out subconsciously.

“Mother! Before anyone else says anything, why are you putting yourself down?! How is Wen Yu any different from an orphan? You’re comparing her to me?” Wen Jiao retorted.

“Jiao’er…”

“Don’t say anything! Go and ask grandmother about this. Madam Qi is so polite to grandmother, there might be a way. If it really works out, what else would you and father have to worry about? In the future, we won’t have to look at the face of elder uncle and his second wife when we live our lives!”

This moved Wu Shi.

“Alright, I’ll go ask your grandmother.”

✿✿✿

After Qi Wu returned, he didn’t say much to his mother but simply nodded.

Madam Qi clapped her hands in delight.

Qi Si had also taken a liking to Zhang Weiqing from the Zhang family, and as expected, everything went smoothly!

“Good son, I’ll settle things with the Zhang family today and talk to the Wen family later.”

“Mother, now that things are settled, can I go out and take care of my business?”

“Why are you in such a hurry? Wait until everything is settled before you go out.”

“You don’t know how annoying it is outside!” All those girls along the way…

“Haha! What can we do? It’s because my son is so outstanding!”

Qi Wu shook his head helplessly, seeing his mother’s boundless confidence.

He decided to stay in his room and read books, not going out anymore.

✿✿✿

The next day, after lunch, Madam Qi invited Old Madam Wen to speak with her privately.

Old Madam Wen felt an inexplicable unease in her heart, not knowing what Madam Qi wanted to talk about.

The conversation began with pleasantries, and slowly, it turned to the two young masters of the Qi family.

“Fourth Young Master, I thought he was your own son, but when Fifth Young Master appeared, oh my, even this old woman was stunned! To say he’s the most outstanding young man in the world wouldn’t be an exaggeration.”

✿✿✿

“He’s quite handsome.” Madam Qi said sourly.

“You’re too modest.”

“Haha, but this child is not just good-looking, he’s also filial, capable, and has many friends.”

“Sigh, I wonder what kind of girl will have such good fortune.” Old Madam Wen sighed sincerely.

“Well, he listens to me. And I, I don’t really care about anything else, I just want to find someone I like. Speaking of which… Old Madam Wen, your eldest granddaughter, Wen Yu…”

Old Madam Wen’s heart skipped a beat, she felt faint and barely managed to suppress her emotions.

“That girl, she’s beautiful and quite generous. I wonder, has she been promised to anyone yet?!” Madam Qi was enjoying this process.

But Old Madam Wen’s mind was in turmoil like a raging storm.

The legitimate son and grandson of the Qi family actually wanted to marry into the Wen family?

My heavens!

If it could happen! I’m afraid the entire capital would know about the Wen family!

So Madam Qi invited me here not because my son got promoted, but because she had already taken a fancy to Wen Yu?

Why?!

But her mind, like lightning, thought of Chen Shi’s death, her eldest son’s instructions, Yuan Shi, and Wen Yu’s recent changes. Yesterday, Wu Shi had mentioned Wen Jiao to her… If it had been Wen Jiao that was being proposed to, how wonderful it would have been.

No matter how well Wen Yu married, if it didn’t benefit the Wen family, it wouldn’t work!

Madam Qi, not understanding the reason, looked at her with a malicious interest.

The matter came too suddenly, Old Madam Wen couldn’t process it for a moment, and forced a smile. “…Oh my, this is really… a bit unfortunate…”

Madam Qi’s expression didn’t change as she waited quietly for her to finish.

“Wen Yu’s marriage, my eldest son and a very close friend are already discussing it. Although the other party’s family status cannot be compared to the Qi family, and that young man cannot compare to your Fifth Young Master in the slightest, but… it’s not very good for us to break our promise…”

Ha!

This is really… shameless!

Madam Qi’s face immediately dropped.

Are you playing me for a fool? Did you think I would rashly propose marriage without making inquiries?

This is a crazy woman…

Anger rushed to her head, then subsided. If it weren’t for Wen Yu saving my Yuanyuan, I would have someone kick your whole family out right now!

She didn’t mind the Wen family’s status, nor the fact that Wen Yu’s mother had passed away early, and she was willing to give her outstanding son to the Wen family as a son-in-law.

But she never expected the Wen family to be so ungrateful!

“Oh, is that so? You’re leaving early tomorrow morning, so go back and rest early… Someone, see the guest out!” Madam Qi lifted her teacup.

Was she being kicked out??

Old Madam Wen’s face flushed red. “Oh my, Madam Qi, I…”

“Old Madam Wen, please take your leave!” The mama beside Madam Qi had been listening all along, and she came up to them, speaking coldly.

Only then did Old Madam Wen understand her position, and she immediately regretted it to death. Am I crazy?!

Since we met, Madam Qi has been polite and courteous, and even treated the Wen family as honored guests, how could I suddenly become so arrogant?!

A noble household, the wife of a First Rank General!

I haven’t even earned an imperial title yet, but I dared to refuse the Qi family with my own mouth.

It’s over, it’s over, I’ve offended them now!

What will I do when we enter the capital? Will my son be affected?!

She wanted to salvage the situation, but seeing the mama’s imposing manner, she knew that if she didn’t leave now, she would be forced out…

And Madam Qi, sitting there holding her teacup, her entire aura was completely different from before.

She had no choice but to leave in disgrace and return to her lodging in a daze. She slumped into a chair. What should I do now?!

What’s wrong with me? Regardless of what I thought before or how I planned to arrange things later, once she brought it up, I should have accepted it immediately with great joy!

Back then with Wen Feng, we even wanted to send Wen Yu into the Wu Prince’s Residence, so why did I become stupid when the opportunity presented itself?!

The old madam’s distraught appearance was seen and reported to Wu Shi.

Wu Shi, not knowing what had happened, went directly to the old madam. “Mother. Your complexion doesn’t look good…”

Old Madam Wen knew she shouldn’t say it, but she couldn’t help herself. “Just now, I offended the Qi family.”

They’re going to kick us out tomorrow morning… This is so embarrassing!

“How could that be? Tell me about it, daughter-in-law.” Wu Shi, not knowing what had happened, displayed her usual composure.

“Madam Qi told me that she wanted… she wanted Wen Yu to marry Fifth Young Master Qi.”

“What?!” Wu Shi was shocked. “This… did you agree, mother?”

“I, no. I refused, saying that Wen Yu’s marriage was already being discussed with a close friend’s family.”

Wu Shi’s eyes lit up. “Mother, did you mention our Jiao’er?!”

“What are you saying?!” Old Madam Wen howled, picking up the teacup from the table and throwing it at Wu Shi.

The teacup hit Wu Shi, but she didn’t even think to dodge.

The old madam cursed. “You fool! You’re from a respectable family, is this how the Wu family taught you? Is this selling vegetables? Huh?! We don’t have radishes, would you like some lotus root?! What kind of clueless fool are you?!”

She vented all her shock, anger, embarrassment, shame, and regret onto Wu Shi.

Wu Shi was hit hard and soaked in tea.

Even when the teacup fell to the ground and shattered, Wu Shi stood there with her mouth open, not reacting.

Look at her pathetic state!

Old Madam Wen’s anger hadn’t subsided. “Wen Jiao has a mother like you, and she still wants to marry into the Qi family?! Dream on! Get out of here!” Old Madam Wen pointed frantically at the door.

Wu Shi’s eyes reddened. She was the legitimate daughter-in-law of the Wen family, carried in on an eight-bearer sedan chair, the mistress of the household!

To be treated like this by her mother-in-law!

Covering her face, she ran back to her room crying.

My dear readers, are you satisfied?